(The following story by Jennifer Maloney appeared on the Newsday website on July 18.)
ALBANY, N.Y. — State transportation officials Wednesday said they believe the Long Island Rail Road strategy to narrow gaps will reduce the number and severity of gap falls, but stressed the railroad must set a timeline for all elements of its plan.
The state Public Transportation Safety Board, which Wednesday reviewed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s response to its investigation of gap problems on the LIRR and Metro-North Railroad, told the MTA to submit a timeline by summer’s end and begin quarterly progress reports Oct. 1.
The board’s chairwoman, Karen Rae, said that she had asked the MTA to provide annual updates on technology it is exploring to reduce space between platforms and trains.
“I really do thank the MTA folks but I think it’s important for the public to have clearly defined dates so we can show that progress is being made,” Rae said.
A sample MTA timeline reviewed by the board Wednesday sets completion dates for the most pressing element of the railroads’ gap plan: addressing gaps wider than 10 inches.
The July 9 document says the LIRR has addressed more than 80 percent of its largest gaps but is unable to reduce 20 large gaps at the Syosset, Flatbush Avenue, Murray Hill and Bridgehampton stations. The railroad plans to complete work on other wide gaps by August. Metro-North reduced or eliminated 37 of its 40 large gaps.